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Cumbria Seniors v Durham Seniors 18th May 2026 – Match Report

The Cumbria Senior Team commenced their 2026 Northern Counties Golf Union Senior League campaign on Monday 18th May, with a home match against Durham Seniors at Windermere Golf Club.

Cumbria were probably fielding the best ever senior team to be assembled, which was very much needed against an exceptionally strong Durham Senior team, which not only had the current British Senior Amateur Champion and Scottish Senior Amateur Champions in John Kennedy, but they are one of the favourites to win the Seniors league this year.

A lot of pre-season work had gone into getting the Cumbria Senior squad ready for the 2026 campaign and in the final 48hrs before play, strategy and course notes being shared among the players from one of our squad players who has considerable knowledge and experience of the course’s pitfalls and no-go areas.

The match commenced in heavy rain showers, which followed the persistent rain which had been falling since the teams arrived at 0800hrs in the morning, with puddles and wet areas throughout the course, but the Windermere Golf course stood up very well to the heavy rain.

Digger Gray and Jim Stothers led of the Cumbria team followed by Nicky Bell and John Carr, Will Dean and Tim Carr, Bob Richardson and Craig Postlethwaite, Mike Turner and John Berry and bringing up the rear Greg Waters and Geoff Nixon. Three players were making their Senior team debut for Cumbria today.

Nine holes of green-some match play was the morning format with Cumbria’s points coming from match wins for Nicky Bell and John Carr, Bob Richardson and Craig Postlethwaite and the strategically placed pairing of Greg Waters and Geoff Nixon. The standard of play in the morning was exceptional by all our team players, and to be fair the Durham side too, but sadly luck was not on our side for most of the matches, and “cold putters” were the order of the day in the morning matches. However, going into lunch we were delighted to be level at three points each.

The rain finally stopped during the morning play, and blue skies were starting to appear, lunch was had in the club house, and our team was ready and keen to commence the afternoon matches. Digger and Jim led the team out.

Play commenced at 1300hrs with the same pairings playing against the same pairings from Durham, this time the format was better ball, and the rain showers had long gone. The sunshine without doubt brought out the best play in all players, all the standard of golf “changed gear” to an outstandingly high level, which was being witnessed by spectators on course. The level of play in some of the matches was so high that only eagles were winning holes, with hole after hole being halved in birdies.

The afternoon session was a testament to the golfing skills of all the players from both Cumbria and Durham and clearly shows how high the level of golf at senior level has become.

In the afternoon matches Digger Gray and Jim Stothers fought fiercely to keep in their match against the very talented John Kennedy and Ian Newall and only succumbed to defeat on the 17th hole by two and one.

Next up was Nicky Bell and John Carr, who were playing in a match which was at an incredible level, with the Cumbrian winning on the last hole one up to secure our first win of the afternoon.

Following was Will Dean and Tim Carr, who not only were up against two capable players from Durham but also lady luck was not on our pairs side, despite fighting hard to stay in the match they were unfortunate to get beat one down after 18 holes.

Our very consistent pairing of Bob Richardson and Craig Postlethwaite came next in a game that was toing and froing between each side, again this was another match that got away at the last hole.

Next up game a new pairing for us of Mike Turner and John Berry, and despite being three down early in the game, they showed our true Cumbrian spirit, and the “one group-one unit-one team” culture we have embedding within our Senior team, and began their fight back in earnest. More to follow….

Our rear gunners of Greg Waters and Geoff Nixon were playing exceptional golf, and playing his Senior debut today, Geoff Nixon’s play throughout the whole day was the standout performance of all players in the match. After being holes down early in the game Greg and Geoff fought back to get ahead in their game, with Geoff hitting the pin in two for what would have been a stunning albatross on the 16th hole, his ball finishing within inches to give them a two up lead with two holes to play, we were confident that they would hold their advantage and this transpired in a two and one victory on the 17th hole.

Whilst they were playing the 17th hole all the action was on the 18th hole, Mike Turner and John Berry were level playing the last, with Cumbria needing to win the hole to win this match and ultimately tie the overall match as a draw. Mike Turner was on the front of the green with a circa 50ft putt, we all thought we needed an Aaron Rai moment like what had happened 24 hrs earlier at the US PGA, well Mike Turner only went and holed his 50ft putt which was met with a great roar from his teammates and CUGC officials. This left Ian McEntree the Durham player with a 20ft putt to halve the hole and give Durham the slightest of victory, we thought unlikely, but credit to him he holed the putt and this resulted in the halved match, but lead to Durham winning the overall match 10 – 8.

This was a fantastic match between two exceptionally good Senior Teams, played in a fantastic spirit with beautiful blue skies to match the outstanding level of golf played by all players throughout the day.

It was incredibly unfortunate that our Senior Team players did not get a point from their performance but rest assured if our Senior players continue this standard of play, outright victories in our league matches will be soon.

Our players were a little despondent after play, but not downhearted, what a superb effort by everyone in the team, the strength and fight from all players was plain to see, the determination they all gave to stay in their matches was fantastic. Luck was not on their side for most of the day, and many matches and the overall match result has literally come down to 1 or 2 putts. Today was platform to move ahead with momentum, coupled with the team spirit that we have, which was clearly evident throughout the day.

Next up is Lancashire Seniors at Clitheroe Golf Club on Monday 15th June.